USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 53
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REV. J. F. SCHMITT
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Father Schmitt was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's parish by Archbishop Feehan, and on the Ist of October, 1899, the first mass was celebrated in the new church edifice. The school opened with two hundred and twenty-five pupils and this number has been increased until two hundred and eighty-two students are now enrolled on its membership list. There are three hundred and twenty-five families under Father Schmitt's charge and, although all of them are working people with limited financial resources, he has accomplished a great and good work in the upbuilding of the parish, which is located in one of the poorest districts of the city. He likewise lectures for the different so- cieties affiliated with the church. From February 13, 1906, until October 12, 1906, he was assisted by Father Edward Berthold, afterward by Francis Cichozki and now by Charles Nix. He has worked zealously and earnestly for the advancement of Catholicism here and his labors have been an important element in the moral development of Aurora.
OSCAR A. NELSON, G.D.
Oscar A. Nelson, G. D., is the proprietor of the Nelson Institute of Elgin, and the Norman Institute in Chicago, and although a resident of America for but a brief period, has already gained wide reputation in the treatment of disease through Swedish massage, medical gymnastics, physical culture and electrical, mineral water and incandescent light baths. He came to America well equipped for the work which he proposed to undertake.
He was born in Stockholm, Sweden, June 24, 1882, attended the public schools of that city and was graduated in Wegart Medico Gymnastic Insti- tute at Stockholm in 1894. He had come to America prior to his graduation and after the completion of his course in his native land he located in Elgin, Illinois, where he has built up a very extensive practice. His place in Chicago is the largest of its kind in the city and in his work he is assisted only by Swedish graduate masseuses, giving Swedish massage, medical and orthapatic gymnastics, physical culture and electrical, mineral water and incandescent light baths. There is a special department for ladies and the institute has re- ceived a liberal patronage. The medical profession is thoroughly in sym- pathy with Mr. Nelson's system and almost daily patients are sent to his in- stitute by medical practitioners. Both his institutes are equipped with the most modern appliances and there are new, clean and sanitary rooms for private treatment, with gymnasiuni and medical bath departments, private dressing rooms and rest rooms. Although Mr. Nelson has only been estab- lished in this country for a little more than four years he has become very widely and favorably known and his system is rapidly winning its way to public favor.
In his art Mr. Nelson follows the methods of Peter Henry Ling, the Swedish originator of the gymnastic system. This form of treatment, how- ever, is almost as old as civilization. It was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans long before the Christian era, being employed in connection with
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their famous baths. Men whose names have come down to us as those of prominent representatives of their time are known to have taken such treat- ments for headaches, fevers and other disorders. However, it remained to Ling to put the work into a system and bring it before the public. Although the system has been in practice for many years in Sweden it is comparatively new in America, but the beneficial results to be derived therefrom are securing for it many patrons in the new world.
Dr. Nelson was married on the 13th of July. 1907, to Miss E. G. Stiles, of Elgin, and they make their home in this city. He is meeting with a measure of success that proves the wisdom of his choice of a location and makes him well content with his sojourn in America.
CHARLES ALLAN PRATT.
Charles Allan Pratt, a well-known Illinois journalist, who is at present editor and publisher of the Elburn Herald, is a native of Pennsylvania. His ancestors were of English origin, coming to this country in the early part of the seventeenth century, and settling originally in New York. One branch of the family moved to western Pennsylvania in pioneer days, and an uncle now owns the original homestead in Greene county, Pennsylvania, on which a military post was situated during the Revolutionary war. This place has been in possession of the family continuously for one hundred and forty years. The members of another branch of the family were pioneers of Kentucky and one of them, James Garard, served as governor of the state from 1802 to 1804.
Charles Allan Pratt came to Illinois with his grandparents when a little lad of eight years, and was educated in the public schools of Princeville. Peoria county. He early developed a taste for literature and newspaper work and published his first paper at Princeville when nineteen years of age. At the age of twenty-one years he became associate editor of the Peoria Daily Democrat, later the Transcript, and with the exception of four years' service as postmaster of Buda, Illinois, has been continuously engaged in the news- paper business to the present time. He has devoted much time to literary work aside from his newspaper duties, has been a frequent contributor to the metropolitan press and magazines and is the author of the political novel, "John Rutledge, Jr." which attracted much attention at the time of its publication. He early developed marked ability as an orator and public speaker and his services have been in popular demand on such occasions as the 4th of July and Decoration Day. His Memorial Day address. delivered at Waukegan, Illinois, was published in pamphlet form and met with an extensive sale. After one of his lectures, entitled "Patriotism ; or What We Owe to the Soldier." the Nunda Herald published the following: "Mr. Pratt is a classical and finished orator and held his audience almost breath- less, as with the skill of a master he painted word scenes that entranced every hearer with their beauty. Taking as his illustrious example the sacred man
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of Galilee, whose voice centuries ago stilled the waves of the sea, he rapidly touched upon the great events of history down to the present time, leading to the certain conclusion that patriotism and love of country is the only sure and safe salvation of a nation. Few speakers ever heard in Nunda have condensed more thought or beauty of language in so short a time." Mr. Pratt is at present editor and publisher of the Elburn Herald, which he es- tablished in March, 1908, and which is meeting with gratifying success.
Mr. Pratt has always taken an active interest in political and public affairs, using his influence for the betterment of the community in which he lives. At the age of twenty-two he began delivering temperance lectures throughout central Illinois, and his labors in this cause have been far-reaching and beneficial. At this point it would be almost tautological to enter into any series of statements as showing him to be a man of broad intelligence and genuine public spirit, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. Strong in his individuality, he never lacks the courage of his convictions but there are as dominating elements in this individuality a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity, which, as taken in connection with the sterling integrity and honor of his character, have naturally gained to him the respect and confidence of men.
JUDGE MARCUS O. SOUTHWORTH.
Judge Marcus O. Southworth, a prominent and successful lawyer of Aurora, was born on his father's farm at Mission Point, La Salle county, Illinois, April 1, 1841, his parents being George A. and Cornelia (Bowen) Southworth. The former was born at Bridgewater, Oneida county, New York, April 14, 1808, and in the spring of 1835 came to Illinois, settling near Aurora. He afterward removed to Chicago, and, being a well-educated man, taught school in the metropolis. Subsequently, however, he located on a farm in La Salle county, residing there until 1870, when he came to Aurora, his demise there occurring July 2, 1871. He had been a stalwart republi- can since the organization of the party and was a political leader, prominent in his district. His wife, who was a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Cole) Bowen, of New York, died in July, 1906, when ninety-two years of age. Unto this worthy couple were born two children: Marcus O., of this review, and Mary J., whose demise occurred in March, 1908. The latter had been the wife of A. D. Southworth, a banker of Wabasha and Northfield, Minnesota.
Marcus O. Southworth acquired his preliminary education in the district schools of his native county and subsequently spent a year at Batavia Insti- tute, studying Latin and Greek. Afterward he entered a preparatory school at Beloit and was graduated from Beloit College in 1863. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he entered the office of DeWolf & Pinkney. at Dixon, Illinois, where he remained about a year. During the succeeding four years, however, he assisted in the work of the home farm, owing to
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his father's ill health. Subsequently becoming a student in the University of Michigan, he was graduated from the law department of that institution in 1871, and from that time to the present has successfully followed his pro- fession in Aurora. He served for three terms as city attorney, and in 1894 was elected judge of the county court of Kane county, serving for twelve years. The legal profession demands not only a high order of ability but a rare combination of talent, learning, tact, patience and industry. The suc- cessful lawyer and the competent judge must be a man of well-balanced intellect, thoroughly familiar with the law and practice, of comprehensive general information, possessed of an analytical mind and a self-control that will enable him to lose his individuality, his personal feelings, his prejudices and his peculiarities of disposition in the dignity, impartality and equity of the office to which life, property, right and liberty must look for protection. Possessing these qualities, Judge Southworth justly merited the high honor which was conferred upon him by his election to the bench. Since retiring from that office he has given his attention to his law practice and has an ex- tensive and profitable clientage. He is likewise the vice president and was one of the organizers of the Aurora National Bank, and is widely known as an influential and representative citizen.
On the 26th of September, 1866, Judge Southworth was united in mar- riage to Miss Gabrielle Mills, of Lockport, Illinois, and a daughter of Joel and Eliza (Hale) Mills, of Genesee county, New York.
Like his father, Judge Southworth is a supporter of the republican party and has served on the Aurora school board for twenty-five years, acting as its president for eight years. He is active in the work of the Congregational church, and resides at No. 34 South Fourth street. For more than a third of a century he has now been identified with the legal interests of this county and has gained an enviable reputation in the line of his chosen calling.
GUY PHILLIPS.
Although actually born in another state, this leading farmer and in- fluential citizen is practically wholly a product of Kane county. His father, Albert Phillips, was born on a farm in this county in 1841. His paternal great- grandfather, John Phillips, was a soldier in the Revolution, an officer in one of the most active divisions of the Continental army, and displayed his valor on many a hard-fought field in that momentous contest.
Guy Phillips attended the district schools until he was about sixteen years of age, then took a two-years' course of study at Jennings Seminary in Aurora. In 1888 he was married to Miss Gertrude L. Boyce, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1865, and came to Illinois with her par- ents in 1868. Five children have brightened and cheered the Phillips house- hold, all of them sons. They are Roy, Albert, Floyd, Arthur and Charles. Tliese are the particular care of their parents, who are deeply interested in their growth and development, and are sparing no effort to make of theni
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the best men they can. It is their purpose to have each of the sons pursue a full course of study at the State Agricultural College, and secure thereby the best practical education available to him.
The father has advanced ideas on the centralization of schools and is a strong advocate of the graded-school system. He is also deeply interested in agriculture in both theory and practice. He is treasurer of the Kane County Farmers' Institute, of which he served as secretary two years, and has for years been active in the maintenance of farmers' clubs, making ad- dresses to them on all desired subjects connected with farming at suitable times, and helping them along in many and various ways. He owns one hundred and ninety acres of excellent land, which he has in a high state of cultivation, and he is considered one of the best farmers in the county. Dwelling in peace and comfort on the farm, with all the elements of pros- perity and happiness around them, he and his estimable wife thoroughly enjoy country life. Mrs. Phillips has an ancestral record worthy of the just pride she feels in it. She is descended from a valiant soldier of the war for independence, making her eligible to membership in the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and her grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812.
Mr. Phillips is a republican in political affiliation, and in fraternal rela- tions he belongs to the Modern Woodmen. He is highly esteemed as a citi- zen and fully deserves the respect and good will in which he is held. His life has been useful, clean and inspiring, a credit to himself and his com- munity, and an incitement to others through the force of a worthy example. He has prospered in a worldly way, has faithfully served his community ac- cording to his opportunities. has won the respect of all who know him, and during the years of productive activity which are yet apparently before him will go on expanding his usefulness and employing his powers for still more extended good to his fellowmen.
FRANK F. WASHBURN.
Frank F. Washburn, of the firm of Washburn Brothers, is closely identi- fied with the farming interests of Kane county, owning and cultivating two hundred and forty-one acres of rich and productive land about two miles from Lafox. He is a native of the state of New York, his birth having there occurred in 1861. His parents were Prosper P. and Eliza (Wood) Wash- burn. The former was a native of New York and a farmer by occupation. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party and was elected to the office of road commissioner. Both he and his wife are now deceased. Their family numbered the following named: S. H., who resides at Lafox, where he is engaged in general merchandising; Julia, the wife of Truman Eldred, whose home is near Elburn, Illinois; James M., a farmer living near Geneva, Illinois; Frank F., of this review ; and Frederick, who also follows farming in this county with our subject.
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Frank F. Washburn spent his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and early learned lessons concerning industry, perseverance and economy that he has never forgotten and which have proved of much value to him in his business career. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Anna Corrigan. a native of Ireland, and they now have one daughter, Eliza Belle, who at the age of seventeen years, is attending school. Mrs. Washburn is a daughter of Patrick and Anna ( Wall) Corrigan, both of whom are now residing in Queen county, Ireland. the former at the age of eighty-six years and the latter at the age of seventy-five. Mrs. Washburn came to America in early girlhood, arriving in this country in 1884. at which time she took up her abode at Lafox.
Mr. Washburn has devoted his entire life to farming. He completed his education at the age of eighteen years and then returned to the old home- stead, where he has continued to reside, giving his time and energies to gen- eral agricultural pursuits. He is now busily employed with his brother in the cultivation of a tract of land of two hundred and forty-one acres about two miles from Lafox and its neat and well-kept appearance indicates their careful supervision. His labor is bringing to him its merited reward in large crops, for which he finds a ready sale on the market. His political support is given to the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him.
WILSON HYATT DOE.
Wilson Hyatt Doe has for many years been prominently identified with the banking interests of Elgin and is now cashier of both the Home National Bank and the Home Savings Bank of this city. He was born just across the line in Janesville, Wisconsin, February 2, 1858. a son of Joseph Bodwell and Anna ( Marcher) Doe. It was in 1841 that his father located in Janesville and soon afterward established a private bank there, which was later con- verted into the First National Bank. he acting as cashier of the same until his death in 1890.
Wilson H. Doe attended Church school at Janesville and at the age of fourteen years was prepared to enter the sophomore class in college except for Greek, but a position in the First National Bank of Janesville being offered him he gave up all thoughts of further education and entered upon his business career. He remained with that bank until April, 1881, when, not being satisfied with his prospects there, he resigned and accepted a position in the ticket office of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway at Mil- waukee, which he held until February, 1882. He then became bookkeeper in the Home National Bank of Elgin, was made assistant cashier in 1886 and cashier in 1891. serving in the latter capacity up to the present time. In 1892 when the Home Savings Bank was organized he was chosen cashier of that corporation and has since served it as such. He has also served as president of the Elgin Loan & Homestead Association since 1897 and
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has become a recognized leader in banking circles in this city. He is a man of keen discernment and sound judgment and his executive ability and excellent management have brought to the institutions with which he is connected a large degree of success.
On the 2d of September, 1882, Mr. Doe was married in Chicago to Miss Maude Palmer, of that city, and to them have been born two daughters : Ethelyn Anna, now attending the University of Wisconsin, at Madison; and Doris, a pupil in the public schools of Elgin.
For five years Mr. Doe was a member of the Wisconsin National Guard and has always been very fond of athletics, formerly taking an active part in baseball, cricket, handball and tenpins, but golf is now the out- door sport in which he is principally interested. He also plays billiards and whist and is very fond of those games. The democratic party always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles until the question of free silver became the dominant issue, since which time he has affiliated with the republicans, thinking it preferable to voting for Bryan and his doctrines. He has never cared for political honors, preferring to devote his entire time, energy and talents to his business interests. In 1882 he became a charter member of Lochiel Lodge, No. 105, K. P., and has served as master of exchequer continuously for nearly twenty-five years. For many years he has held membership in the church of the Redeemer. He has always been found loyal and faithful to his friends, who recognize his true worth, and he is held in high regard by his social as well as his business associates.
NIELS ANDRESSEN.
Niels Andressen, successfully engaged in farming and dairying in Vir- gil township, was born in Denmark, on the 20th of August, 1857. His brothers and sisters are as follows: John, deceased; Peter, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Wisconsin; Anne, the wife of John Matson; Christina, who is the wife of Nels Olsen; and Elsie, who makes her home in Utah.
It was in the year 1880 that Niels Andressen emigrated to the United States, taking up his abode near Plano, Illinois, where he secured em- ployment in the Plano Manufacturing Company. Subsequently he made his way to Chicago, thence to West Pullman and afterward to Elburn, Illinois, where he has since been engaged in farming and in the dairy business. He has a model dairy of twenty-five cows, which he has operated for three years with good success. Both branches of his business return to him a gratifying annual income and he is well known as one of the prosperous and enterprising residents of the community.
Mr. Andressen was united in marriage to Miss Antonia Johnson, like- wise a native of Denmark, and unto them have been born the following children; Niels, who met death through an accident; Chris; Tillie; Carl; and Johnie and Marie, both of whom have passed away.
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Politically Mr. AAndressen is a republican and he holds membership in the Church of Christ. Realizing that the new world offered better opportunities for business advancement than could be obtained in the land of his nativity, he came to the United States as a young man, and by unremitting labor and unwearied diligence has worked his way steadily upward until he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of his locality.
THE JOSLYN FAMILY.
The Joslyn family is one of the oldest of which record has been kept. A castle in the north of France. the "Chateau de Josceline," marks the original seat of the family. It is surmised that the early French kings invited Saxon chieftains to settle in France. among whom was the ancestor of the Joscelines. the names being originally of Angle-Saxon origin. The Joscelines were prominent in the time of Charlemagne, 800. A. D., the earliest member of the family to come into public notice having married the great-granddaughter of Charlemagne. It is asserted by the genealogists that the Josceline family is more directly descended from Charlemagne than were the Bourbons of the family of Orleans, who still lay claim to the throne of France.
When William the Conqueror in 1066 A. D., overcame the English at the battle of Hastings. Geoffrey de Josceline commanded one branch of his army. being then a nobleman of France. He was after- ward given a large tract of land near what afterward became Lincolnshire and remained in England. This was the origin of the family in England, where it has since continuously resided and held prominent position,-the present Earl of Roden being a descendant of this family. The wife of King Henry II was a Josceline, as was Gilbert de Josceline, prominent in the early English Catholic church, who after his death became St. Gilbert.
The Joslyns in America are all descended from one of two individuals who came from England to New England in 1634-35. Thomas Josselyn, who landed at Hingham, Massachusetts (about ten miles south of what is now Boston) in 1635: and Henry Josselyn, who came to America in 1634, as the first governor of what was then the territory of Massachusetts and Maine, and dwelt at Scituate. AA controversy exists as to which one of these men was the father of a certain Henry Joslyn, who was the father of twenty children, from whom a large portion of the family descended. Evidence seems to indicate that these two men may have been half-brothers, sons of Sir Thomas Josselyn. The later opinion seems to be that Thomas Josselyn was the original ancestor of the American family, and that Henry Josselyn. Esq .. had no children. This Thomas Josselyn had a son. Abraham, who had a son named Henry, who, among twenty children, had a son named Jabez, who moved to Berkshire county, Massachusetts. This Joslyn had a son, Jabez, who had a son named Lindsey, who was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary army and after the war moved to Poultney, Vermont. He had a son named Lindsey, who was born at Sheffield. Berkshire county, Massachusetts,
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who as a young man, moved to New York state, settling in Cayuga county, and in 1837 came west to McHenry county, Illinois, and settled near what is now Nunda. From this Lindsey Joslyn, the Joslyns of Kane and McHenry counties were descended. He reared a large family of children, eight boys and one girl. He, himself, removed to Elgin in the '50s, and died there, October 10. 1862. His monument may be seen in the new Bluff City cemetery, where his remains were removed about 1905. He married Polly Waite, of Granville, New York, who died in 1854, and is buried at Elgin, Illinois. Her mother was Ann Waldo and her father Benjamin Waite, of New York state. The children were Waite, Zara. Chauncey, Adoniram Judson, Frederick Daniel, Merritt L., Edward S., Mary and Waity Brinkerhoff.
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